Get inspired!

17,725 architecture projects

Learn from past Buildner architecture competition participants through our extensive project library, curated over more than 15 years!

Sustainable Living with Seaweed Insulation and Recyclable Materials

Authors:
Vasiliki Geropanta, Anna Karagianni, Anastasia Karaspiliou
Sustainable Living with Seaweed Insulation and Recyclable Materials
Explore the full project presentation!
Subscribers only
Constructed using seaweed insulation and locally sourced recyclable plastics, this microhome prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability while serving as a model for modern coastal living.
5 key facts about this project
01
Constructed with locally sourced recyclable plastics to combat coastal corrosion.
02
Incorporates seaweed as insulation, enhancing thermal performance and biodegradability.
03
Features a vertical aquaponic system that tracks the sun for optimal light exposure.
04
Designed to adapt living spaces through movable seaweed panels.
05
Promotes self-sufficiency by integrating food production within the living environment.

The Sea-wheel House is located on the island of Crete in Greece, designed to tackle current environmental issues through thoughtful architecture. The microhome focuses on reducing its carbon footprint by using materials sourced from the local area. Its functional design reflects values of sustainability, community, and flexibility, offering a solution for modern living in coastal environments.

Material Choice

The materials selected for the Sea-wheel House aim to lessen the ecological impact while ensuring durability. Recyclable plastics from the nearby beaches form the main structure of the building. This material choice addresses the problem of facade corrosion caused by salty sea air, which is a common concern for structures near the coast. Seaweed, used as insulation, not only provides effective thermal management but is also biodegradable, supporting the goal of sustainability in construction.

Interior Layout

The layout of the Sea-wheel House features adaptable spaces that serve various functions. A notable element is the wall with a vertical aquaponic system that moves with the sun. This arrangement optimizes natural light and contributes positively to the indoor environment by supporting the natural rhythms of the residents. The design includes both communal and private areas, such as a convertible bed-sofa at the front, ensuring comfort and practicality.

Sustainable Aspects

Key sustainable features of the Sea-wheel House include sloping glass solar panels and movable seaweed panels. The solar panels enhance energy efficiency by effectively capturing sunlight for energy needs. The movable seaweed panels can also be adjusted, allowing for varied space configurations and even creating outdoor seating. This flexibility helps residents engage more with their surroundings, promoting a lifestyle that values sustainability and interaction with nature.

Distinctive Feature

A remarkable aspect of the Sea-wheel House is the aquaponic system, providing fresh produce for occupants while also helping to regulate indoor temperatures during colder months. Its integration into the living space allows for interaction with the garden, fostering a connection to nature. This emphasis on blending living areas with natural elements creates a unique experience, encouraging self-sufficiency and enhancing everyday life.

Noticed a mistake?
Highlight the text and click on
Noticed a mistake

Enter an open architecture
competition now

The Next House: USA
The Next House: USA
20,000 USD Prize
The Architect's 
Chair
The Architect's Chair
Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5
Kinderspace
Kinderspace
Architecture for Children’s Development #3
The Home of 
Shadows
The Home of Shadows
The light studies. Edition #4
The Architect’s 
Stair
The Architect’s Stair
Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3
MICROHOME 2026
MICROHOME 2026
100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026
100,000€ Prize / 2026

The Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

`
Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
new
The Next House: USA

Design the next suburban home for the USA

20,000 USD Prize ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 19 November 2025
new
Iceland 
Slow Sauna

Design slow sauna in Iceland

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 November 2025
Concrete 
Pavilion

Design a concrete pavilion

Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
new
Pavilion Atlas 2026

Design a story of your country

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 21 January 2026

Recurring architecture competitions

The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 13 November 2025
new
The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 20 November 2025
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 10,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 26 November 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #7 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 27 November 2025
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

Edition #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 3 December 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 14 January 2026
The Architect’s 
Stair

Take a step and make a statement!

Take a step and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 15 January 2026
new
MICROHOME 2026

Design a new concept of small-scale home and share a prize fund of 100,000€

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #11 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 11 February 2026
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2026

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2026 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 26 February 2026

Media, partners and clients

To view this project in detail,
please log in with your
Architects’ Network Plus account.
Subscription instantly unlocks all the architecture projects plus other member-only benefits:
  • Access the 17,725 Concept Library
  • Professional tools including file transfer, email, portfolio management, and more
Register now
Already a member? Log in

This website uses cookies to improve user experience and gather usage statistics.

More information is available in our Privacy & Cookie policy